Aino Aalto

Aino Aalto 1894 – 1949

Born as Aino Marsio in 1894, Aino Aalto is known as one of the pioneers of modern design in Finland. She was trained as an architect and joined legendary architect Alvar Aalto’s company when she turned 30. They were married soon after and begun a life long partnership that left an everlasting influence on Finnish architecture and design. She died in 1949.

Besides glass design, she worked on buildings, interiors, furniture and textiles. Her design for the exhibition stand of Finnish design company Artek won the Grand Prix prize at the Milan Triennal in 1936, and she also won the gold medal for her glass design the same year.

Her best known, and lasting, design was for stackable, every day, glassware called Bölgeblick that she designed in 1932, inspired by the circles created by a stone thrown in water. It is still sold today by Iittala of Finland under the name “Aino”, and has been popular ever since it’s inception, showcasing how timeless her design aesthetic really was.